ST JOHN Ambulance volunteers, who work tirelessly in aid of professional and grassroots sport, were singled out for their outstanding contributions at The Star and St John Ambulance Sports Awards.
Their valuable work in the region ensures public events are able to take place.
St John volunteers are renowned for the many hours they give each year and the 2008 awards paid tribute to the work of those individuals who have made a significant difference during the past 12 months.
The glittering Edge Telecom sponsored Sports Awards, hosted at Sheffield's Ponds Forge by Christa Ackroyd, recognised sporting excellence of all kinds – with the spotlight also on amateurs and business, as well as OIympic heroes, football superstars, boxing idols, cricket legends and other sporting greats.
But Outstanding Contribution Awards went to the following St John Ambulance volunteers:
Christine Barber, a Badger leader, covers every duty in all weathers. She is a regular at Doncaster Rovers, Doncaster Races and Doncaster Knights. Whenever St John requires an extra pair of hands or at short notice, Christine is quick to give up her time.
Andrew Feely, from Barnsley, exceeds his time and commitment to the charity as a regular volunteer. He worked tirelessly during the floods of 2007, coordinating voluntary assistance to quickly evacuate South Yorkshire residents, particularly at Toll Bar in Doncaster. He ensured that St John Ambulance were present for months after the floods to give assistance in the big clean up.
Sue Hansford is St John's duty manager for Doncaster Races. She assures the event is fully staffed - a huge and often thankless task with tens of members to manage. Through her persistence thousands of people have enjoyed the events in Doncaster which bring in much needed local revenue.
Richard Harrington is a superb ambassador for St John Ambulance. The 29-year-old has only been with the charity for a short period, but has been quickly promoted to Assistant Director for Duties, a role that requires many hours a week on a voluntary basis. His responsibility is to ensure volunteers work in a safe environment and that the public has adequate first aiders of different levels to meet their requirements.
Terry Haynes, of the Grimethorpe Cadets, is a long serving member of St John who has helped to change the perception of teenagers in his home town. He helps them to expand and test their skills, encouraging participation in many areas of South and West Yorkshire.
First Responders – a select group of people who act as community-based first aiders for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service. Their often unseen service to the local community has helped save the lives of many people who have suffered heart attacks and other life threatening conditions.
Debbie and Sean Starbuck, a husband and wife team of the Hatfield Cadets, train youngsters from the age of five on the importance of first aid. They actively encourage and assist young people to go on duty with St John, helping to increase awareness of good citizenship. Their hard work helped Emma Barker to become County Cadet of the Year.
For more about the Sports Awards, a full list of winners and video clips, click here.For more information about St John Ambulance please visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.
See a full report and photos of The Sports Awards in The Star on Friday, October 10, 2008.What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So FarOwls Watch 08-09 - The Season So FarWatch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much moreFootball headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categories The full article contains 638 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
